The six French Films to Watch on TV5MONDE in September

In September, TV5MONDE juggles genres, showcasing a fascinating documentary on the hidden face of Coco Chanel, the bitter-sweet comedy Place Publique, directed by duo Jaoui-Bacri, and the unforgettable old foagies road trip comedy, Les vieux fourneaux, complete with an all-star cast.

Les guerres de Coco Chanel (2018)

September 25 at 9:25PM ET/6:25PM PT, with English subtitles

Using archive footage, Les guerres de Coco Chanel tells a captivating story that depicts the fate of the great, ambitious and independent seamstress desperate to succeed.

An iron will, a perpetual need to take revenge on society, an unquenchable thirst for freedom and independence, Gabrielle Chanel, the world's most famous fashion designer, embodiment of Parisian chic, was also a pitiless and determined warrior. To build her empire, she used every possible means, including the most shameful...

"A nuanced portrait of an artist of the last century passionate about her craft and possessing a daring style, who at the same time battled through life in immense solitude. - Film-Documentaire

Narrator: Lambert Wilson
Director: Jean Lauritano (France 2018)
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 55m

Les vieux fourneaux (2018)

September 29 at 8.30PM ET/5:30PM PT, with English subtitles

What a pleasure to experience Pierre Richard, Eddy Mitchell and Roland Giraud together in this nostalgic and improbable road trip story that certainly doesn't lack panache!
 
Antoine, 70 years old and recently widowed, discovers a letter that makes him furious enough to lose all reason. His childhood friends, Pierrot and Émile, along with Sophie, his heavily pregnant granddaughter, follow in hot pursuit to try to prevent him committing a crime of passion... fifty years after the event!
"The ingenious set direction brings about a touch of poetry and fantasy, immersing the viewer without restraint into the world of wacky." - La Voix du Nord
Director: Christophe Duthuron
Cast: Pierre Richard (Pierrot), Eddy Mitchell (Émile), Roland Giraud (Antoine), Alice Pol (Sophie/Lucette), Henri Guybet (Garan-Servier), Myriam Boyer (Berthe), Rebecca Azan (Capucine), Alain Dumas (Alexandre)
Genre: Dramatic Comedy
Runtime: 1h 29m

Place Publique (2018)

September 1 at 8.30PM ET/5:30PM PT, with English subtitles

The comedic duo Jaoui-Bacri is at it again with a new satiric and bitter-sweet comedy which is skilled at making fun of everything and everyone- Parisians, social networks, and the celebrity obsessed. 
 
A famous if somewhat over-the-hill television star, Castro attends the house-warming party of his producer and long-term friend, Nathalie. There he meets his ex-wife Hélène, a committed idealist. Together with their daughter, Nina, author of a novel loosely based on her parents' life...
"...a testament to not only Jaoui and Bacri’s writing skills but also a cast that’s in top shape, right down to the smallest role." - Hollywood Reporter
Director: Agnès Jaoui
Cast: Agnès Jaoui (Hélène), Jean-Pierre Bacri (Castro), Léa Drucker (Nathalie), Kevin Azaïs (Manu), Nina Meurisse (Nina), Sarah Suco (Samantha), Helena Noguerra (Vanessa), Sam Karmann (Mickey)
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 1h 38m

Money (2017)

September 15 at 8:30PM ET/5:30PM PT, with English subtitles

You don't see a dark French thriller every day! Relying on solid plotlines and realistic cinematography, Money is a real success and will not leave anyone disappointed. 

Danis and Éric work on the docks at Le Havre, each month it's difficult to make ends meet. One day, Éric's sister, Alexandra, sees someone being given a suitcase filled with banknotes. The three decide to steal the money. Without realizing it their action triggers an infernal spiral...
"Shooting mainly at night in a palette of dark colors (kudos to cinematographer Tariel Meliava) and returning constantly to the huis clos of the politician’s home, [Babluani] succeeds in creating a somber world in which every action has unintended consequences to often deadly effect." - Hollywood Reporter
Director: Gela Babluani
Cast: George Babluani (Danis), Vincent Rottiers (Éric), Charlotte Van Bervesselès (Alexandra), Louis-Do de Lencquesaing (Mercier), Benoît Magimel (Vincent), Anouk Grinberg (Anaïs), Olivier Rabourdin (Charles), Arben Bajraktaraj (Goran), Féodor Atkine (Jean-Philippe)
Genre: Thriller
Run time: 1h 30m

Maman a tort (2016)

September 8 at 8:30PM ET/5:30PM PT, with English subtitles

A dramatic comedy, somewhat on the serious side, that accurately portrays the adult world as seen by a young teenager. Emilie Dequenne is simply excellent. 

Anouk, 14 years old, begins an observation internship with the insurance company that employs her mother. In this pitiless world of compromise and cowardice, she suddenly discovers the dark side of the person who had brought her up. Revolted by so much inhumanity, the teenager refuses to submit to the system.

“A beautifully written and played mother-daughter dramedy."– Hollywood Reporter

Director: Marc Fitoussi
Cast: Émilie Dequenne (Cyrielle), Jeanne Jestin (Anouk), Nelly Antignac (Bénédicte), Camille Chamoux (Mathilde), Annie Grégorio (Simone), Sabrina Ouazani (Nadia Choukri), Jean-François Cayrey (Blanchard), Grégoire Ludig (the father)
Genre: Dramatic Comedy
Runtime: 1h 50m

Embrasse-moi comme tu m'aimes (2016)

September 22 at 8:30PM ET/5:30PM PT, with English subtitles

The "Bad Boy of Quebec Cinema" returns with a drama that skillfully juggles taboos with sharp dialogue.

Montreal, 1940. Pierre, 22 years old, wanted to join the Allied forces but has to look after his twin sister, Berthe, who was born disabled. One day, awakening to her own sensuality, she tries to seduce him. Pierre rejects her advances, but remains haunted by the fantasy of his sister...

"The great strength of André Forcier's cinema is based on a completely original and personal vision, from which emanates a very confident taste of provocation." - La Presse

Director: André Forcier
Cast: Émile Schneider (Pierre), Juliette Gosselin (Berthe), Mylène Mackay (Marguerite), Céline Bonnier (Yvonne), Tony Nardi (Élio), Luca Asselin (Ollier), Réal Bossé (Elphège)
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 1h 35m

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